Community Stewardship

Environmental Stewardship in Pickering

In June 2008, the City of Pickering, Ontario Power Generation and TRCA invited a wide range of environmental and community organization representatives together to see if there was an interest in joining forces under the heading of Environmental Stewardship Pickering (ESP). The response was a resounding YES. For many years, residents have been active in enviromental projects in Pickering. It's time to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together to complete the environmental picture in Pickering.

Get Involved

Stay tuned, details about the annual ESP Forum to share and celebrate our Pickering experiences and learn from each other

Let us know what you need help with...we can host workshops and invite experts to help you: write funding proposals, get and keep volunteers, safety training

Want to learn how to plant trees, lead nature walks, develop trails, host a neighbourhood workshop...contact us

Creating Partnerships for SuccessPartnerships are vital to any successful project. Environmental Stewardship Pickering is made possible through both in-kind and financial contributions from the Pickering East Shore Community Association, Ontario Power Generation, the City of Pickering, Toronto and Region Conservation and the Ajax/Pickering Board of Trade.

Send Us Your Event DetailsSend your event information to stewardship@city.pickering.on.ca We can forward it to our contact list of Pickering residents who want information about local events.

Don-Highland Stewardship (Toronto)

Did you know what wherever you live, you live in a watershed? A watershed is an area where all the water, whether stream flow or ground water, flows to a common waterway. The Don River, Highland Creek and Toronto Waterfront watersheds are among the most urbanized watersheds in the country. These watersheds have a 10,000 year history of human habitation and this has transformed the landscape leaving rich cultural heritage, but also difficult environmental challenges. Don-Highland stewardship programs give you the opportunity to make a difference in your community through education and action.

How can I help make a change?

The Don-Highland Community Stewardship Program works to protect and restore water quality and wildlife habitat in the Don River, Highland Creek and waterfront watersheds through hands-on restoration work, community events and educational workshops. The types of events that we offer include:

Planting Native Trees and Shrubs

Creating Wildlife Habitat

Cleaning up Trash

Creating Wildlife Habitat

Fun and Educational Family Festivals

Educational workshops

The TRCA is currently working on a Highland Creek Greening Strategy that will establish local ‘Green Teams’ to help community members take a leadership role in community greening. Contact the Highland Creek Project Manager Keri McMahon at kmcmahon@trca.on.ca for more information

I want to participate!

TRCA has Toronto based volunteer projects in Scarborough, North York, East York and the Toronto Waterfront. You can find out about these projects, and those throughout the GTA, by visiting www.trcastewardshipevents.ca or by contacting the Don-Highland Community Stewardship Coordinator at 416-661-6600 ext. 5765. TRCA offers additional short term and long term opportunities through the Environmental Volunteer Network

Projects:

The Don Water Wise Stewardship project involved wetland planting with grade school students at two wetlands at ET Seton Park and the East Don Parkland in the Don River Watershed. Click here for more information

Don-Highland Stewardship (York Region)

Did you know what wherever you live, you live in a watershed? A watershed is an area where all the water, whether stream flow or ground water, flows to a common waterway.The Don River watershed is among the most urbanized watersheds in the country. This watershed has a 10,000 year history of human habitation and this has transformed the landscape leaving rich cultural heritage, but also difficult environmental challenges. Don-Highland stewardship programs give you the opportunity to make a difference in your community through education and action.

How can I help make a change?

The Don-Highland Community Stewardship Program works to protect and restore water quality and wildlife habitat in the Don River watershed through hands-on restoration work, community events and educational workshops. The types of events that we offer include:

Planting Native Trees and Shrubs

Cleaning up Trash

Creating Wildlife Habitat

Learning - educational workshops

I want to participate!

TRCA has York Region based volunteer projects in Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill. You can find out about these projects and those throughout the GTA by visiting www.trcastewardshipevents.ca or by contacting the Don-Highland Community Stewardship Coordinator Natalie Swaak at 416-661-6600 ext. 5765 or nswaak@trca.on.ca.

Projects:

The Don Water Wise Stewardship project involved wetland planting with grade school students at two wetlands at ET Seton Park and the East Don Parkland in the Don River Watershed. Click here for more information.

I want to learn more.

The Don Water Wise Stewardship project involved wetland planting at two wetlands at ET Seton Park and the East Don Parkland in the Don River Watershed. About 1000 students from grades 3-8 grew aquatic plants in their classroom and planted them these local wetlands. Over the course of the project 19 public events were hosted.

This project was made possible through generous funding from Environment Canada’s EcoAction Community Funding Program. Project results include:

997 students planted over 2600 native aquatic plants in two wetlands;

An interpretive sign was installed in ET Seton Park;

An audio interpretive walk was created for the East Don Parkland;

A curriculum–linked educational resource was created to compliment the wetland excursions.

Etobicoke Creek and Mimico Creek Stewardship

Some exciting stewardship projects are happening in the Etobicoke Creek and Mimico Creek watersheds. These "Trail Stewards" projects engage citizens, community groups, schools and businesses in the improvement of the health of creeks and surrounding areas. Native tree and shrub planting and installing wildlife habitat structures are some of the activities offered to restore and enhance forest, meadow and wetland habitats. The projects offer educational workshops, interpretive walks and community events open to the public or designed specifically for your group.